Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced legislation on June 12 to support state and local governments that wish to include manufactured housing as an affordable housing solution when applying for federal funding.
The “HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act of 2019” would require HUD to issue guidelines for including manufactured housing in state and local governments’ Consolidated Plans, which outline their housing and community development priorities when applying for HUD funding. The legislation will ensure that manufactured housing, a significant source of affordable housing, is considered when jurisdictions develop their housing plans.
According to Senator Cortez Masto’s press release, nearly 22 million Americans currently live in manufactured housing. Costing as little as $45,000 per unit, manufactured homes are a significant source of unsubsidized affordable housing. Thanks to recent developments in manufacturing techniques and design, manufactured housing can be more energy-efficient than other single-family homes that can cost over seven times more.
“Home prices are rising fast, and Americans are spending a greater share of their paychecks to keep a roof over their heads,” Senator Cortez Masto stated in a press release. “It’s unacceptable and we must take immediate action. . . . This bipartisan legislation recognizes that manufactured housing can be part of the solution.”
You can read the text of the bill at: https://bit.ly/2ZqBxH5
You can read Senator Cortez Masto’s press release at: https://bit.ly/31sI99Z